Chapter 22: Training With Vegeta

At Capsule Corporation, inside the gravity room, two saiyan warriors were preparing to have a sparring match together. They were the saiyan prince Vegeta and the half blooded saiyan Gohan.

"So, kid I noticed that you found yourself a mate." Said Vegeta referring to Videl. "What are you talking about, you mean Videl? I've already told you before she's just a friend nothing more." He said with a slight blush on his face. "Oh really then why are you blushing? I saw the way you were looking at her. Hmph. I doubt it'll be long before the two of you start to bond." Said Vegeta with a smirk.

Gohan only rolled his eyes. "You said that you wanted to train, so let's get started." Said the young saiyan trying to change the subject.

Walking over to the controls, Vegeta set the gravity up to 320x Earth's normal gravity. Both saiyans instantly turned super saiyan and got into a fighting pose. Vegeta was the first to charge towards as he threw a kick which Gohan avoided by ducking. He threw another punch as Gohan disappeared. The half breed appeared from above throwing a punch when Vegeta vanished.

Turning around Gohan threw a punch in the air. A second later Vegeta reappeared blocking it with a hand. He threw Gohan into the air. Stopping in mid air Gohan charged at Vegeta while he did the same.

Both collided with great impact as Gohan punched Vegeta in the face. The prince then countered with his own punch. Gohan reacted with slamming his knee into Vegeta's stomach. Recovering from the blow, he grabbed Gohan by the head and hit him with his knee. That attack drew a little blood.

Vegeta went in for another punch, but Gohan once again disappeared and from above he threw a series of energy waves, which were all dodged.

The two vanished again and in the air, their attacks could be heard. Blow for blow. Gohan threw a kick, but Vegeta blocked it. The saiyans were gone in a blink of an eye. Reappearing Vegeta threw a punch that landed with Gohan's own punch. Each threw a combination of attacks that either one of them just dodged or blocked.

Vegeta threw a punch at Gohan and it seemed as he had really hit him, but it was really an after image. From behind Gohan kicked Vegeta in the back sending the saiyan prince to the ground. As Gohan flew downward ready for another strike Vegeta got up in time, evading the attack. Looking up, Gohan moved his hands to his head and threw his attack, "Masanko!" Vegeta shot both hands in the air and released his Final Flash attack. Both energy waves collided, each equal in power. Neither blast would move an inch, until finally under the great force the attacks exploded.

When the smoke cleared, both fighters were standing there, a little out of breath. "I know you can do a lot better than that Gohan. You're obviously holding back." The young saiyan didn't say a word. "I saw it when we were fighting your saiyan side. And I want to fight you at that full power." Said Vegeta.

Gohan just looked down on the ground. He was afraid of that. He realized that sooner or later Vegeta would want to fight him at that level. The power that he had obtained in the Cell Games Tournament. That horrible day, when he lost the person he cared the most about...

At that moment he was knocked out of his thoughts when a punch collided with his jaw. "Ow. What the heck was that?" Said Gohan slowly standing up. Vegeta smirked. "You left yourself unguarded. That's one mistake you should never do in combat."

The smirk faded off of Vegeta's face. "Now as I was saying, I want you to battle me at full strength. I want to have a mighty battle with the son of Kakarot. The last survivor of our ancient race." "No. I won't do it." "And why not?" Asked the mighty prince, annoyed with the response.

Once again the young boy didn't say anything, his eyes on the floor. ~ No. It's too soon to go super saiyan 2. If he were still out there...I don't want to risk it. If I were to transform now, he might awaken and there's no way I'll take that huge a risk just to satisfy Vegeta. ~

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Asked the saiyan prince. Gohan looked Vegeta straight in the eye. "No matter what you say Vegeta I won't transform, at least not yet...You just wouldn't understand."

Vegeta smiled. "Hmph. Have it your way, but if I were you I'd change because I'm about to get a whole lot serious." True to his word he moved at lightning speed and managed to smack Gohan in the face sending him staggering backwards. He reappeared behind him and with a kick sent him flying onto the ground.

Vegeta was about to hit Gohan with a punch in the back, but seeing it in time, he managed to evade the attack in time by flipping backwards. Disappearing from the spot Gohan did the same as Vegeta by moving at incredible speed and landing a punch in his face. The young saiyan then landed several more punches to the prince's gut. With a kick he sent him across the floor.

"Hehehe." Said Vegeta getting up. He wiped the blood from his mouth. "Now that's what I'd expect from a true saiyan, but you'll need more power than that!"

Gohan got into a defensive pose. He didn't care what kind of beating Vegeta would try to give him. He just couldn't transform. It was too risky and Vegeta knew it. He didn't get why Vegeta always had to be like that. The thought of it made him want to roll his eyes.

Vegeta started to slowly walk towards him when in an instant he vanished. In a flash he managed to give Gohan a devastating blow to the stomach. He gasped in pain as he dropped down to his knees. Quickly getting up he threw a punch, which was evaded then a kick, which managed to hit Vegeta in the face.

Recovering from it, the prince grabbed Gohan by the leg and send him crashing hardly onto the ground on his back. Then throwing him into the air, he blasted him with a big bang attack. The young saiyan landed back down with a loud thud. He slowly started to get up, coughing up blood.

"Man Vegeta. Do you really have to do this?" Said Gohan. He smirked. "Let's just say it's partly pay back for destroying my home. It wasn't an easy task rebuilding it you know."

Of course Gohan could easily over power Vegeta if he transformed, but he just couldn't dare himself too. It amazed him how much more powerful the saiyan prince was. Before he could barely keep up with him in ssj form and now...Gohan smiled. His saiyan side must have given him one hell of a beating.

Vegeta started to power up as he charged the half saiyan. At this staged Vegeta was too strong for him in just ssj form as he broke through all of his defenses and merciless attacked him, each blow having there own devastating impact.

The young saiyan himself managed to get a few blows in, but they were nothing compared to what Vegeta was giving him.

Gohan was once again on the ground, but still he got up. It was funny. He felt as if he were reliving the time when Cell was torturing him to unleash his hidden powers.

All of a sudden Vegeta appeared from behind. Gohan didn't have time to react as he was given an intense blow to the head. The great force of which made everything fade to complete darkness.

- () -

Gohan's eyes started to move as he slowly began to regain consciousness. "Oh, your finally awake Gohan! I was starting to get worried." Said Bulma, turning around from her computer screen. He slowly sat up. "Oh man what happened?" Asked the young saiyan rubbing his head. "Vegeta gave you a serious blow to the head. You've been out cold for a couple hours."

"Oh yeah now I remember. He was trying to get me to transform beyond a super saiyan." "Really that Vegeta. We told him not to over train you. It's only been two days after all." Gohan laughed a little. "Yeah, but he'll do anything to get stronger." "Still that's no excuse. He was close in giving you a concussion or something." "Wow, really? That explains why my head still kinda hurts a lot."

Gohan got up from the bed he was lying on. "Well, I guess I'll go home now." Bulma spoke, "Want me to take you?" "No, I'll be fine." "Well okay just be extra careful then. Especially since you're still hurt." Gohan nodded. "Right."

"Oh by the way Gohan, I almost forgot. Your mother and baby brother are waiting for you at your house." "What, but I thought they weren't gonna be home until tomorrow." "That's what I thought too, but the doctors said she and the baby were strong and healthy enough to go home early."

Gohan smiled. "That's great! But please tell me you didn't tell her what happened." "Sorry kiddo, but I did. I couldn't lie to her." "You could have made something up! Now she's gonna be suffocating me with questions." Bulma laughed. "You can't blame her. She's your mother and naturally she's worried." "Hehehe. Yeah, well I'll see you around Bulma." "See you later."

With that Gohan started to walk down the hall and to the front door. He was reaching for the door knob when, "Look who's awake." Gohan turned to look at the figure who emerged from the shadows. "Vegeta." Spoke Gohan as his eyes narrowed. "What do you want." He asked a little coldly. "Oooh. Someone's in a bad mood."

"Well after what you tried to do, why wouldn't I be." Vegeta smiled. "Hmph. Your just like your third class warrior of a father. A bunch of weak softies. Not wanting to unleash your true power and being too merciful. It's pathetic. You can never show any mercy to your opponent. It'll be your downfall." Obviously beating Gohan in the training match, had gotten to his head a bit.

On the other hand. Gohan was clenching his fists, teeth gritted. Normally a taunting Vegeta would have just annoyed him, but for some reason this time his saiyan blood was just boiling. Every fiber in his being wanted to punch him through the wall for daring to talk smack about him and his father, but he held himself back.

Not wanting to hear anymore and before he would do something he would regret, Gohan ran out the door and flew off into the dark sky.

As the young saiyan flew through the air towards Mount Paozu, he wondered what had come over him back there. No matter how annoying Vegeta could get, he'd never want to hurt him like how he had wanted too. It worried him, but as the site of his home came into a view, the thought slowly slipped into the back of his mind.

Entering through the front door Gohan yelled out, "Hey mom I'm home!" Then at that moment a sharp shooting pain shot through his head as he held it with his hand. ~ Darn that Vegeta. He just had to hit me that hard on the head. ~

Walking into the room, Chichi saw her son holding his head and walked up to him worriedly. "Gohan what's wrong? Oh my gosh! Are you hurt? Bulma told me what happened! I knew this would happen if you'd kept on training!" Gohan opened his eyes. "No, I'm okay. It's just that my head hurts that's all. And your screaming isn't helping mom." "Oh, I'm sorry dear. Are you sure you're fine?" Gohan spoke, "Yeah, I just want to go to bed now." "Well okay. Just take it easy kay." He nodded and went to his room.

~ I hope Gohan's really gonna be okay. Everything bad always seems to happen to the poor kid. ~ She thought as she went to her own room to go to sleep where Goten also was fast asleep.

In his room, Gohan walked up to his bed and lied down. His head was seriously killing him and all he wanted to do was get rest. Soon though he fell into a deep sleep.

- () -

It was utter darkness. No light shinning anywhere. Just a void of blackness. This was the place where Son Gohan found himself in.

The young saiyan was walking in this dark place. ~ Man, I hope I'm not where I think I am. It's only been two days. ~ He was expecting to see the other part of him he never wanted to come face to face with again, but to his great relief nothing happened.

As Gohan continued walking he was getting the creepy feeling that he was being watched and followed. When he turned around nothing would be there. So, he just moved along.

A couple minutes later something moved quickly to the side. Gohan turned to see what it was, but it had already vanished. Then again to his other side. He turned around and nothing. There was no energy level, so he had no clue what it could be.

All of a sudden voices could be heard mumbling all around him. He raised his hand and created a ki blast to brighten the place around him. And to his great shock and horror there were several black shadowy figures surrounding him. Each of them was coming closer and closer to him.

Raising both hands he shot out a energy volley to blast away whatever those things were, but the attacks just seemed to go right through them. ~ Wha - What are those things? ~ Seeing as energy blasts wouldn't work, Gohan got into a defensive pose.

All of a sudden one of those things launched itself towards him and following its lead so did the others. Gohan tried to jump out of the way, but it was like his whole body was frozen. He couldn't move a muscle.

The shadowy beings started to engulf his body. It's as if they were trying to get inside of him and take control of him. The saiyan tried his hardest to move, but it just wouldn't work. He could feel them slowly start to get in him as he fought his hardest to brake free, but as hard as he tried it just wouldn't work.

Then with a yell Gohan was awake again.

The hybrid was breathing heavily a small amount of sweat on his head. He was in his room. Nothing out of the ordinary. ~ Oh man, it was just a nightmare. ~ He turned to look at the clock which said it was 3:00 a.m.

Gohan relaxed a bit and laid back down, thinking to what he had just dreamed. It made him shudder. That dream was just way beyond creepy. He wondered if it meant anything. ~ Maybe the blow to my head I got made me dream that. ~ He thought to himself, although he knew it sounded pretty ridiculous.

Seeing as he wouldn't be able to fall asleep again after a dream like that, he put on his shoes and sneaked out the window.

Outside, Gohan flew over near a waterfall and laid down on the grass. He figured that the soothing sound of the waterfall would help him relax more as he looked up to see all the stars on the sky.

It had passed about ten minutes and Gohan was pretty much relaxed now. He had gotten into a sitting position just letting his mind wander. Though this didn't last long as the same sharp shooting pain shot through his head. Once again he clutched his head as he tried not to gasp out in pain.

That's when a voice called his name. He looked up to see that it was the namekian Piccolo. He'd forgotten that Piccolo would always hang around waterfalls. "Gohan what are you doing here?" He asked. "Nothing. I just couldn't sleep that's all."

Once again he held his head in pain. "Gohan what's wrong?" Asked Piccolo walking up to him. "Nothing's wrong. It's just that my head hurts a little that's all." Said Gohan slowly getting up. He then saw the worried look on Piccolo's face. "Don't worry, I don't think it's him. It's just that Vegeta gave me a serious hit to the head and ever since then it's been hurting." "I see."

"I guess I should go back home now. I have to go back to sleep since I have school." As he was about to say goodbye, Gohan yelled out falling to his knees, grasping his head. "Gohan!" He opened his eyes. "No, don't worry about me." He got up again. "Sorry about that. I'll just be going now. I need to get rest." Without saying another word he took off.

Piccolo was left standing there completely worried about the young saiyan. ~ Hmmm. Gohan said that Vegeta had delivered him a nasty blow, but could that really be it? ~ He had sensed that his former student had felt a little uneasy. ~ It could be that he was just being in denial. And the cause could be his other self. ~

The namekian took off to the lookout, making sure that the kid had made it back safely. And telling himself that he'd tell the other Z Fighters to keep an eye on Gohan.

- () -

It was now 7:00 and it was time for the young saiyan to get ready for school. He pushed the covers aside and got up, but he now wished he hadn't because the moment he stood up his head was stinging with pain.

Downstairs Chichi was wondering why her son hadn't come down yet, so she decided to go check on him. To her surprise she found him on his knees holding his head again. "Oh my gosh Gohan! Baby what's the matter!"

He let go of his head as the pain subsided. "My head's still hurting that's all. Sorry for making you worry." Chichi put her hand on his forehead and was shocked to find that he had a slight fever. "Oh, you have a fever. That does it you're not going to school today." "But mom, really I'm fine." Said Gohan. "Nonsense of course you're not! Now, get back to bed and later we're going to see Bulma to see if your really gonna be fine."

Knowing not to argue with his mother, Gohan did what he was told and climbed back to bed. "Get some rest okay and just try to relax." Said Chichi closing the door behind her.

Gohan was looking up to the ceiling hoping that it was nothing serious. That it was just the blow to the head that he had gotten that was making his head hurt. Pushing those thoughts aside, he closed his eyes to go back to sleep.

A/N: Ya! Finished another chapt. I know about time. But you know how it is. Busy with the upcoming holiday! And school :P

Well remember to review and Happy Holidays!